Portable, collapsible multipurpose container

ABSTRACT

A portable, collapsible multipurpose container for use as a baby bath or the like having a perimeter frame telescopically adjustable to predetermined positions in length and width for individually supporting different-sized, flexible liquid holding means removably attached about the frame. Supporting telescopic legs are rotatably coupled to the frame and are movable to storage positions.

United States Patent Crawford Mar. 26, 1974 [54] PORTABLE, COLLAPSIBLE 2,972,752 2/1961 Rudolf 4/177 MULTIPURPOSE CONTAINER 2,846,699 8/1958 Watson 5/98 R 3,162,865 12/1964 Tigrett..... 5/99 A X n r: J m rawf rd, P B x 1421, 2,544,075 3/1951 Ernst 150/49 Stuart, Fla. 33494 [22] Filed, Apr. 3 1972 Primary Examiner-Donald F. Norton Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Malin and Haley [21] Appl. No.: 212,974

[57] ABSTRACT [52] U.S. Cl. 150/49, 4/177 A p r le, llap i l multipurpose container for use [51] Int. Cl A47k 3/06 as a y h r he lik h ving a p rimeter frame [58] Field of Search 150/48, 49, 50, 51; 4/177; telescopically adjustable to predetermined positions in 5/98 R, 98 A, 99 A, 99 B, 184 length and width for individually supporting differentsized, flexible liquid holding means removably at- [56] Refere e Cited tached about the frame. Supporting telescopic legs are UNITED STATES PATENTS rotatably coupled to the frame and are movable to 1,528,129 3/1925 Phillips 5/82 ux Storage poslt'ons' 2,838,768 6/1958 Fischett 4/177 6 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PORTABLE, COLLAPSIBLE MULTIPURPOSE CONTAINER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings and. in particular to This invention relates generally to flexible contain- FIG. 1, Applicants container is indicated generally at ers, which may be employed in a multitude of different situations in which variably sized containers are necessary. Such situations include uses as a tub for bathing of a baby or different sized people, water storage tank, and a sink for cleaning utensils. With the recent increased interest in camping and other outdoor activities, the use oflarge tubs, pails and sinks made of heavy fixed-in-shape materials has proved to be impractical in an environment where size and weight are to be kept to a minimum.

Applicants invention provides a highly portable tublike container that is reducible and collapsible to a very convenient storage size, but which when in use, is capable of opening into a large volume container for use in an outdoor environment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A portable, collapsible container comprising a frame having a plurality of telescopic arm members arranged to be adjustable to predetermined positions in frame length and width, a plurality of resilient, arm holding means for retaining adjacent telescopic arm members in position relative to each other, a flexible liquid holding means sized to fit a particular frame size and removeably attached around the frame perimeter along the flexible holding means sides shaped to form a container, and a plurality of frame supporting legs moveably coupled to the frame and rotatable to a storage position substantially parallel to the frame arms. The legs are telescopically adjustable to allow for adjusting the container height.

It is an object of this invention to provide a portable variable-in-size container.

It is another object of this invention to provide a highly mobile, lightweight storage container.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a portable baby bath.

And yet still another object of this invention is to provide a container for use outdoors in camping or fishing activities capable of adjusting to a plurality of different sizes.

And still yet another object of this invention is to provide a multipurpose container having a disposable, flexible fluid or solid retaining means.

In accordance with these and other object which will be apparent hereinafter, the instant invention will now be shown with particular reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a sideview, perspective of Applicants invention with a cutaway fragmentary portion showing the adjustment means.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary close-up of one corner of the Applicants invention showing the attachment of the flexible liner to the frame.

FIG. 3 shows in a plan view the frame member size adjustments in a storage position.

FIG. 4 shows the flexible liner detached from the frame.

FIG. 5 shows frame arm coupling means.

10. The container is tub-shaped and has a basic support frame comprised of telescopically fitting arms 11A, 11B, 11C and 11D. In this embodiment, the arm mebers are tubular and L-shaped to form the frame corners and each arm member has a diameter sized to allow a snug but slideable telescopic fit with the adjacent arm member. Thus, arm 11B is shown slightly larger in diameter such that arm 11A is slideable inside arm 118. The other arms l-IC and 11D join each other and 11A and MB in the same manner to form a rectangular frame. Thus, the frame is changeable in length and/or width (arrows A and B respectively). The frame 11 is supported above a resting surface or the ground by a plurality of legs 12, each of which is rotatably coupled to the frame 11 by bolting means 13. The frame prevents the' leg from rotating up when in the normal working position as shown. Each leg may be comprised of telescopic members 12A and 128 which provide for increasing or decreasing the working height of the container. When the container is not in use and is in a collapsed position, each leg rotates as shown by arrow C into a position substantially parallel to the frame side.

The frame arm members such as 11B and 11A are held in position by fastener 17 which protrudes resiliently above the surface of arm 11A and is movably positionable into aperture 18 in the surface of arm 11B. A plurality of fasteners 17 allow for variable adjustment in length and width of the frame. Alternately, one fastener 17 could be utilized with a plurality of apertures 18. Flexible liner 114 is removably attached about the perimeter of the frame except at the corner points. The liner is sized into a bag or tub-like form and is of such a material as to retain liquids. As shown in FIG. 1, the container is ready for use.

FIG. 2 shows the attachment of the flexible liner 14 to the frame arm 11B. In the present embodiment, the liner has a heat-welded seam 16 fixed to predetermined areas along the edge of liner 16. The liner edge is manipulated over the frame members during assemblage of the tub. The top of the liner is folded over to form a cyIindrically-shaped sleeve for receiving the tubular branch arms.

FIG. 3 shows the frame without the liner in two different sizes at positions with the smaller inside the larger. The frame is capable of being reduced in area to approximately one quarter (in area) of its largest size with a number of sizes in between in the direction of arrows A and B. The inside frame is shown with its legs folded up on the storage position substantially parallel to the arms.

FIG. 4 shows the flexible liner shape in a planar position separated from the frame. A plurality of different sized liners may be used .with the different sized frames. The liner may be constructed of any flexible material that is liquid retaining or capable of supporting solid objects. Disposable liners would dispense with the necessity of cleaning the liner after each use.

In its portable state, the frame is reduced to its small- The portable container may be used in a multitude of ways including water storage tank, bath tub, sink for washing dishes, a fish keeper, a catch all for camping equipment and many others. A flexible cover may also be provided to isolate the contents from the surrounding environment.

The heat-welded seam which allows for coupling the liner to the frame may be replaced by a plurality of male-female fasteners which couple together in the same position as the seam 16. Thus the liner may be removed without disengaging the frame arms by uncoupling the fasteners on the liner.

The liner also has a drain plug 19 (FIG. 4) to allow the draining of liquid from the liner.

FIG. 5 shows the frame arm coupling device having. resilient member 21 coupled to a button 20. The button protrudes through an aperture 18 in frame arm 11A and is held resiliently in position. The frame arm to be coupled to 11A is slided over arm 11A until the button 20 is positioned resiliently in an aperture in the arm to be coupled. To uncouple the engaged arms, the button 20 is depressed and the outside arm withdrawn from over the inside arm. A plurality of apertures in the outside arms allow for multiple engaging positions between frame arms.

The invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention and obvious modifications will occur to aperson skilled in the art.

What I claim is:

l. A portable, collapsible container comprising:

a frame adjustable in size in at least one direction,

said frame including a plurality of arm members adjustable along sides of the frame, said arm members being overlapping slidably adjustable along the sides of the frame, said arm members being telescopically engaged, said arm members being L-shaped;

means coupled to said frame for holding said frame arms in different positions, said frame arm holding means including a plurality of fastening means coupled to each arm at predetermined positions along the frame for coupling adjacent arms together in a particular position relative to each other;

flexible liner means attached about said frame; and

plurality of supporting legs attached to said frame.

2. A container as in claim 1, wherein:

said liner is removably coupled to said frame.

3. A container as in claim 2, wherein:

said legs are rotatably and removably attached to said frame.

4. A container as in claim 3, wherein said fastening means includes:

a resiliently held button, said arm members having a plurality of apertures positioned for engagement with said button.

S. A container as in claim 4, including:

a plug coupled to said liner.

6. A portable, collapsible container comprising:

a frame adjustable in size in at least one direction, said frame having a plurality of L-shaped arm members adjustable along sides of the frame;

means coupled to said frame for holding said frame arms in different positions;

flexible liner means attached about said frame; and

plurality of supporting legs attached to said frame. I. k 

1. A portable, collapsible container comprising: a frame adjustable in size in at least one direction, said frame including a plurality of arm members adjustable along sides of the frame, said arm members being overlapping slidably adjustable along the sides of the frame, said arm members being telescopically engaged, said arm members being L-shaped; means coupled to said frame for holding said frame arms in different positions, said frame arm holding means including a plurality of fastening means coupled to each arm at predetermined positions along the frame for coupling adjacent arms together in a particular position relative to each other; flexible liner means attached about said frame; and plurality of supporting legs attached to said frame.
 2. A container as in claim 1, wherein: said liner is removably coupled to said frame.
 3. A container as in claim 2, wherein: said legs are rotatably and removably attached to said frame.
 4. A container as in claim 3, wherein said fastening means includes: a resiliently held button, said arm members having a plurality of apertures positioned for engagement with said button.
 5. A container as in claim 4, including: a plug coupled to said liner.
 6. A portable, collapsible container comprising: a frame adjustable in size in at least one direction, said frame having a plurality of L-shaped arm members adjustable along sides of the frame; means coupled to said frame for holding said frame arms in different positions; flexible liner means attached about said frame; and plurality of supporting legs attached to said frame. 